DCS World - F-14 Tomcat - Maneuvering and Flight Characteristics

In this video we explorer the F-14 Tomcat's unique features it also has some interesting flight characteristics, discuss some of the basics of flying that will help you keep the tomcat happy in flight, and show you some tricks so that you can keep the plane in control and don't find yourself in an awkward flight departure.
Digital Combat Simulator
►► www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/
F-14 Tomcat by Heatblur Simulations
►► store.heatblur.com/collection...
If you would like to help support the channel directly,
Please consider supporting through Patreon:
►► / jabbers
Join my Discord:
►► / discord
►►Gaming Rig
CPU: Intel i7-9900K @ 5.0 Ghz
Memory: 32GB DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum
Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix Z390-E Gaming
GPU: ASUS STRIX 1080T
HDD: CORSAIR FORCE Series MP300 960GB M.2
PSU: CORSAIR HX850i
CASE: Fractal Design Define R6
HMD: Oculus CV1
HOTAS: Thrustmaster Warthog (12cm extension, VIRPIL WarBRD base)
RUDDER PEDALS: Thrustmaster TPR Pedals
►► Streaming Rig
CPU: Intel i7-6700K @ 4.5Ghz
Memory: 32GB DDR4 Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB
Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z170 S
GPU: EVGA 1050Ti
CAPTURE CARD: AVerMedia GC573 Live Gamer 4K
HDD: OCZ TRION 480GB
►►Additional Equipment
MIC: Audio-Technica AT2020
MIXER: BEHRINGER Xenyx 802
COMPRESSOR: BEHRINGER COMPOSER PRO-XL MDX2600
You can also find me on
►► Twitch: / jabbers_
►► Twitter: / jabbers_dcs
►► Facebook: / jabbers.dcs
I also run a Combat Flight Simulation Community called SplashOneGaming
►► Website: dcsworldevents.com/
►► Discord: / discord
#dcsworld #tutorial #f14 #heatblur #tomcat #jabbers

[@Jabbers]

If you would like to help support the channel directly, Please consider supporting through Patreon: ►► www.patreon.com/jabbers Join my Discord: ►► discord.gg/tx5qvag You can also find me on ►► Twitch: www.twitch.tv/jabbers_ ►► Twitter: twitter.com/jabbers_dcs ►► Facebook: facebook.com/jabbers.dcs/ I also run a Combat Flight Simulation Community called SplashOneGaming ►► Website: dcsworldevents.com/ ►► Discord: discord.gg/8zKd6ea

[@karlchilders5420]

Jabbers, I wanted to say that although I've been critical of the way the F-14 has been received in the DCS community, what YOU are doing is great, and you're showing that the jet isn't some FBW easy to fly as pie machine. It requires thought, and aviation skills to properly employ the weapons system successfully. This jet had a few quirks that pilots HAD to know, such as there is only one way to do engine shutdowns (starboard, #2 first) because of the way the generators were set up and the hydraulics worked, how it behaved under single-engine performance scenarios, etc.. Your videos are great, and I, like others, really appreciate and enjoy watching them...

[@stealthtomcat4739]

What is maneuverability rate of f-14

[@jazxix5681]

The spin was induced by the disruption of air flow into the starboard engine. This disruption stalled the engine which produced enough yaw rate to induce a spin which was unrecoverable. There was no way you could see or avoid the jetwash. The Board of Inquiry finds that you were not at fault in the accident of July. Your record will be cleared. You're restored to flight status without further delay.

[@luisartiach1970]

I understood that reference

[@MotoFlightGuy]

"He can't get back in the saddle, won't engage" "It's only been a few days" "You know he just not might make it back" ".........Keep sending him up"

[@patricktack165]

Talk to me Goose!!!

[@marcpaulrosario6195]

....These proceedings are closed.

[@williamkillingsworth2619]

Movie should have ended with Tom Cruise crashing into L Ron Hubbard’s house.

[@ryangorman2295]

I bought the F14 after about 200 hours on the F16. I was so caught off guard when I tried to do the same things I could before like an 8G turn into a rudder Spin and just got completely smoked. Roll reversal, flat spin, and jester yelling at me about my speed the whole time. The tomcat is a beast to fly

[@stevelikesrhino]

I feel like F-14 is the final version of analog flying. Having to deal with it by ww2 dogfight techniques, while having crazy power and deadly weapons.

[@kevinm.n.5158]

It's like the Carrera GT or McLaren F1. The last of a dying but powerful breed

[@CAL1MBO]

@@WolfdogKitok The F2004 is one from the Traction Control era. Doesn't quite work I'm afraid.

[@kiekiek]

@@WolfdogKitok Nah, more like the F2000 of the plane world, the last true racing car in formula 1.

[@yester8039]

"lets practice flat spin recovery" "this looks like a nice place as any" *Is literally over a populated crow area full of houses* XD

[@Nikola16789]

tnx capt.

[@RedRazorback15]

Would’ve been better if he went out to sea.

[@BuchoRULES]

@@RedRazorback15 You're not a fan of irony?

[@RedRazorback15]

BuchoRULES Not a fan of Top Gun?

[@tedm6894]

Not a fan of his ABCCD's

[@gamecentral9313]

I love how you can see tiny imperfections in the windshield.

[@alexvikendi1768]

It's here since Lock-On

[@Viperdriver25]

As for the coordinated turn, there's a slip indicator with the ball just in the center above the vertical display. Keep the ball centered. In the flight school they used to say that 'the ball follows a hand and escapes from a leg' ...Well, it helps actually. And thank you for another great video. Cheers everyone!

[@Jabbers]

Lemme know how that goes in the tomcat, that ball is all over the place not sure if broken or just normal

[@Angus_Gibson]

I still come back to this video, and I believe it should be required watching for anyone flying the kitty.

[@SkyDawg91]

One very crucial tool you left out is the slip indicator/turn coordination gauge directly under the gun rate/sw cool/msl prep buttons. That baby is there for a reason; step on the ball to coordinate your turns and keep it centered. Didn’t know about the rudder to roll trick!

[@jaybeckman3749]

Nice to see airmanship emphasized. The Dutch Rolls at 4:40 are smooooooth.... I have a hunch this module will frustrate (and probably kill) a lot of casual players who are unable to come to terms with analog flying.

[@Jabbers]

It really is frustrating sometimes at high aoa when not using enough Rudder :)

[@jaybeckman3749]

Jabbers Hope you guys are recording the online test (that may or may not be happening)

[@Jabbers]

I recorded some of it but nothing worthy of posting

[@exiletsj2570]

I’m one of those casuals. I’m well up for the challenge though, I find aircraft like the Hornet boring because it’s so easy to fly. It’s the quirks and unique challenges of an aircraft, that give it character, in my opinion.

[@kcz1093]

I dont think so. the F14 might not be FBW, but its still much forgiving compared to say a MIg21. If players can learn to fly much older analog planes that are much more unforgiving, then the tomcat wont be that hard to learn to handle.

[@richconcepcion1823]

Where FBW jets like the F-16 and F-18 can be likened to a vehicle with power steering, the Tomcat definitely is like a muscle car that has to be tamed first.

[@Nine-TailedFox4]

Why are planes like P-51 and F-5E so docile then? They dont have fly by wire but they are much easier to deal with.

[@richconcepcion1823]

IAB98Raptor Good question you have there. Allow me to share something. One time, an F-16 instructor had a conversation with German WW-II ace, Adolf Galland. The F-16 guy was also the technical consultant behind the Falcon 4.0 sim which I flew 20 years ago. During their conversation, the F-16 pilot remarked how he liked the FW-190 and Adolf Galland’s answer surprised him. He said, while the FW-190 was superior on paper, he preferred flying in the Me 109 because flying it felt like you’re wearing gloves. The plane handled like it was an extension of his hands and did what he wanted it to do. Of course, all planes have their own quirks but Saburo Sakai felt the same way for the A6M Model 21 Zero. He said, put him in a Zero and he’s gonna be fine. I’m no expert but from what I’ve read a bit about the F-16 design, for example, the jet has inherent instability in its flight characteristics. Aircraft stability can be described as either static or dynamic stability. And these types are further broken down into positive, neutral or negative. Anything excessive can be bad. If a plane is stable, you sacrifice maneuverability. If a plane is too twitchy, you sacrifice stability. And instability is a bad thing in combat. Imagine having a compressor stall in an F-14 and you’re in a spin with “MiG-28s” around you. Plus, if you have weapons and a gun, a stable flying platform would be nice thing to have for better accuracy. And the F-16 was originally designed with inherent instability with regard to its flight characteristics and that’s the secret behind its superior agility. It’s the FBW’s job to correct for these characteristics so the pilot could focus more on getting the job done rather than be distracted chasing the needles, trying to fly the airplane. My two cents. :)

[@pogo1140]

@@Nine-TailedFox4 The P-51 was docile because it was designed to be docile, but that was only when it had used up most of it's fuel. During takeoff, with full tanks, the -51D had a really nasty habit of being really unstable due to the center of gravity being move to the rear because of the weight of the fuel. The F-5E was docile it was derived from a trainer aircraft, the T-38 which needed to be docile to avoid killing the student pilots.

[@everythingman987]

Not the same. The Tomcat has hydraulicly boosted flight controls. The only comparison you could make is between a car with mechanical controls and one with drive by wire.

[@PilotPhotog]

Great video and love how you went into the airmanship required to fly this legendary aircraft. I actually forwarded this video to one of my CFI friends who flies jets as well. Subscribed and looking into getting a setup to fly DCS at home - thanks!

[@sneakygloworm]

Great Tutorial! Many Thanks. Flat spins are something I usually end a mission with. :s When I go into A 2 A combat, I attempt to line up all enemy aircraft below me so that when i go into a flat spin, I can take them all out.

[@Chybear]

Great vid Jabbers. All info you you provide us as a test pilot is very much appreciated by everyone that watches! Thanks bud!

[@brittoncooke1890]

The first ten seconds of this video seem so familiar to me. I could not have demonstrated the feeling better myself :) I am new to the DCS Tomcat but WoW, what an awesome module. Definitely the weirdest module I have ever flown in the most beautiful weird way ever. I think this is the most useful Tomcat video on the Internet.

[@xXWhateverxX4kHD]

Brilliant video. The most interesting one so far.

[@pierrelofinusound3020]

totally agree, plus he's talking quietly, goes to the tricky parts. sometimes more external views would be great!

[@Eagle_Beak]

Thank you very much for the help with F-14 handling. This is one of the harder planes I've flown in a sim, and it helps to know what makes it behave differently.

[@jmarcl089]

Beautiful lesson! I'm building a replica of F-14 on KSP and I needed to see this!!!

[@mobiuszero1018]

This is gonna be a hard beast to tame...But it's an experience I'm looking forward to!

[@TacticalOni]

Another spin recovery method I learned from flying the FSX F-14 is to manually pull the wings back to full sweep. This causes your moment of inertia to move forward and should force the nose to dip, allowing you to recover from the spin, put the wingsweep back into AUTO and fly off.

[@wernerpretorius5354]

I'm in flight school atm and I have to admit you had a very CFI feel to the video, well done man this is some quality content. :D

[@blackhelicopters]

Flat spin was wild!

[@Hellreign82]

Fantastic video and information bud. She really can be a handful some times due to the analogue nature Like you mention, takes almost a warbird pilot state of mind in terms of flight and manoeuvres I’m finding it hard when it comes to the carrier. Gets messy fast :) Being a user with only a single throttle Hotas, hopefully I don’t flat spin too much :D

[@MrTornadoman97]

Are there any keybinds to allow you to select/deselect engine throttle control ala IL2 Battle of Stalingrad? I am a single throttle user as well, would be really nice to have that feature so us plebs can still get out of flatspins.

[@Hellreign82]

@@MrTornadoman97 Good shout, i will have a look. Although I don't know if moving the throttle will override the key presses?

[@jcbak]

Love the sense of humor....it's always just the right amount.

[@lukaszkulasek]

Wow great job! This is the best video of Tomcat I have seen so far!

[@metanumia]

The F-14 "Tomcat" is the ultimate "Rock 'n' Roll" fighter, in a literal sense and the figurative badass sense. Great video, thanks! :)

[@constantinfrank1901]

Thank you! Finally someone using the accurate term „Taileron“

[@TheDickieP]

Great video, I’ve been struggling with the f14 and thought I was a moron but this has helped me enjoy the aircraft for the first time

[@Hairyloft]

Love the F14. Looking forward to fly this in game. Thanks for the vid.

[@SDsc0rch]

i'm a min and a half in and this is the best DCS tomcat vid i've seen yet wow

[@wowomg1980]

Amazing. Just amazing. The attention to detail they put into this.

[@CitizenGamer]

Great video. Thanks for the information. I found it VERY instructional.

[@puu808]

Appreciate all the content man! Finally convinced to just make the jump over to DCS!

[@Werkschmiede]

Outstanding! Perfect explantation on that subject!

[@frankbizzoco1954]

I have a feeling I am going to hear Jester in the back go "shit shit shit shit!" a whole lot while learning to fly this bird. Poor Jester lol. I cant wait!

[@IkeThe9th]

Finally had to chance to watch this one. Fantastic Demo and Commentary as usual. 👍

[@RogerSanGabriel]

The detail is great.

[@ronaldwatson1951]

Very good instructions and training demonstration without making it difficult to understand

[@goons123flofy]

Mayday! Maverick is in a flat spin. Bro, that was crazy

[@LuisFelipy]

NO JESTERS WERE HARMED DURING THE FILMING.

[@MrTornadoman97]

How about that first flatspin? Didn't see any chutes...

[@trollmastermike52845]

but 1 goose

[@TexasWarbird]

After spending 800+ hours on IL2 BOX. I'd like to believe I'm prepared for analog flying.. lol

[@metanumia]

Same, but the *speed* difference between a Sturmovik and a Tomcat is so immense it will still take a lot of practice! I'm looking forward to it, best of luck! :)

[@mskiUSMC]

Cool video, I cant wait for the F14.

[@SuprAtheAceofSpades]

08:05 I laughed way more than I should have. Great video!

[@thetomschaeffer]

thats some serious cockpit vibration... awesome vid.

[@kateward3914]

In addition to being informative your videos always make me laugh. "This looks like as good a place as any." *snort*

[@BlackHawkFR]

Instructive and fun at the same time. Thx!

[@rudelchw]

Thanks a lot, really useful & informative video ... cant wait to pilot the Tomcat myself :)

[@SaitekFreak999]

This is perfect. I just perfected smooth and consistent t/o and landings in the Bf109 and am looking for a new challenge!

[@kahss]

I end up watching this video every week, thanks :D

[@gcm747]

“Mayday, Mayday - Mavs in trouble - He’s in a flat spin heading out to sea!”

[@canopygardensgreenhouse9907]

Thanks for this. Clears it all up

[@herbertpocket8855]

Great video! Very professional!

[@DaftDrunk24]

Very helpful, thanks

[@Fercyful]

Super informative and fun ! Thanks

[@greg_mid_tn3150]

Best opening of a DCS video ever!

[@MillionFoul]

Thank god the rudder inputs drilled into me through hours of coordinated flight in power on turning stalls in a tiny Skyhawk will finally come to use in the virtual world! Turn coordinators are the best instrument, prove me wrong.

[@signore1]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@edoardosaccani9542]

Great content! Keep up the amazing work ;)

[@m_hero15]

i had trouble with f14 but this helped me a lot, tnx

[@iLLeag7e]

I just saw that Ward Carrol (F-14 tomcat RIO in real life) is getting his stuff together gathering the necessary accessories to DCS. That'll be good content. Your channel is cool, +sub

[@EazyWarrior]

I spat out my drink laughing during that intro lol

[@RightCenterBack321]

Seeing those wings buckle scares the heck outta me!!!

[@Power5]

Great videos with the F14

[@Cadmium77]

Excellent vid. Thanks

[@steamingh1606]

thanks for brining this super useful video.

[@NavyGuy2OO7]

I cant wait! It's so close I can taste it!

[@ThatTempesTGuy]

The beginning of this video is priceless 😂 👍

[@EvgenySmolovich]

Great Video! Thank you!

[@EdgemanLL2]

00:53 Stabilator. Also, depending on speed, differential spoilers assist with the roll.

[@akshaydewan5608]

fantastic video

[@DaddyKoolPop]

Great lessons here. I will practice! [salute]

[@Nanne118]

Hey Jabbers, thanks for the great video: a fantastic way to dissect & take in all the analog information that is going to make the F14 so interesting! On the topic of flat spins, iirc the normal naval ops procedure was to eject / abandon the aircraft, but like you so adeptly demonstrated a number of techniques have been found to work around exiting the flatspin. I was wondering if you are willing to do a video detailing the flat spin itself a tad more and comparing the various techniques (the one you already described is great, but there is also the one made by Joe Hoser Satrapa)?

[@slaughtersteelgrave022]

Nice vid - such a monster

[@michaelhale4918]

Great video, thank you sir.

[@signore1]

too high bank angle at low speed can induce spins. just learned that from flight lessons. great flight model here. Nice vid!

[@DragNetJoe]

No, too much AOA. Bank angle is irrelevant, except that to maintain altitude at a given bank angle you are going to have to pull, which generates AOA, but AOA causes stall and any airplane in a spin is by definition also in a stall.

[@signore1]

DragNetJoe ahh I see, that makes sense. Thx. So at low speed you already are going to have more AOA to maintain level flight, when you bank you will have to add even more AOA to maintain level flight

[@19Koty96]

Yep, exactly so. Plane requires certain amount of lift to fly straight, but it depends on many factors: If you look into it, there are three ways of generating more lift - one is higher velocity (TAS), one is higher air density and one is higher lift coefficient. And the way to increase the coef. is via AoA. (As for velocity, the formula says that you multiply air density and a square of velocity - either TAS and air density at altitude, or IAS and standard sea-level air density.)

[@PiMpLiChEeSs]

DragNetJoe not exactly true, as you reach the CL MAX ( critical angle of attack) your plane should stall normally unless one wing is producing more lift/drag than the other. This usually happens because it’s poorly coordinated

[@tedm6894]

@@DragNetJoe bank angle isn't irrelevant. You increase wing loading through bank, therefore increase your stall speed. Meaning you will reach stall quicker the more you bank. Yes you increase AOA through the required back pressure in a turn to stay level. But the acceleration caused through turning also has an effect on stall speed, you're effectively increasing G/weight of the A/C therefore requiring more loading on the wings. So it's a double whammy.

[@OlivierGaming]

Very very interesting thank you so much

[@MaxMnemonic]

Excellent!

[@eranmalloch]

Thanks for another great tomcat video Jabbers. She looks like she'll be hard work to fly for those of us who have been spoilt by fly by wire! One comment about the video itself. It would have been awesome to see an outside view of each of those maneuvers as you were demonstrating them. Just to see the control surfaces that move and how the plane moves with respect to the ground and horizon. Otherwise, thanks! :-)

[@jonesy8682]

Definitely a good place for that flat spin not a massive population insight.

[@tiaria9677]

I remember back in the mid 90's, I think, when they added a digital flight control system to the F14 and the problems it caused. Supposedly, it was to help with carrier approaches, where a lot of F14s were going down and killing pilots, and to smooth out high AOA moments. According to a cousin who was around at the time, there was a glitch in the system and they lost a few F14s, grounded the fleet and quietly fixed the code. Weird to think of a plane going from analogue to half-analogue and half digital.

[@stellarhole]

Are you talking about the F-14D?

[@Pylon5Productions]

@@stellarhole they put DFCS in all Tomcat models eventually

[@BellumPara]

Good stuff, thanks a lot!

[@ramberto7785]

Only the true cowboys are gonna be able to tame this bull.....thing looks wild as all hell to fly. Love it

[@cowboy10uk]

Guess I’m gonna see if I live upto my name then. 😜

[@erfan3578]

And persian pilots

[@erfan3578]

@Guybrush Threepwood I dont understand what you mean

[@stephenvince9994]

I would suggest you learn spin recovery first....

[@thedarkknight7924]

Also you can use the turn and slip indicator at the bottom middle of the ACM panel for coordinated turns. Never flew the Tomcat but i worked on the avionics while in the navy.

[@Jabbers]

Ya, its weird in this, i tried to follow it, but its so jittery.

[@oczhaal]

good tips! thankq!

[@pwolfamv]

This looks like such a beast to fly!

[@Zarma4074]

Nice. Time for some RIO stuff now !

[@Relax2437]

Grate video!

[@skypiratez]

11:41 Top tip (and the next) opening a whole new concept of keeping the tomcat in check

[@cr4sh0verr1de6]

Thanks man!

[@skyeshepherd6341]

So, what you’re saying is that Goose could still be alive if Maverick wasn’t a bad pilot??!

[@onefortysixam9713]

And Mavericks case, both engines stalled. probably would have overheated and locked up. I don't know if you could pull out of a flat spin if the engines are off.

[@WinginWolf]

@@onefortysixam9713 I read somewhere bringing the wings to full swept-back could have been used to bring the center of lift backwards, potentially tilting the nose down which may be used to help break out of the stall at least.... dunno.

[@MasterUxi]

NATOPS says RIO is responsible to jettison canopy before ejection in a spin, so Goose killed himself.

[@pyroscot]

Well i though this was just me being hapless ... i can flat spin on demand lol. Very interesting video Jabbers many thanks. I'm currently new to DCS and the Tomcat and I have kinda a love/hate relationship with mostly hate for the Tomcat at the moment.

[@CacElect]

what an intro xD love it

[@sickledcell]

love the Vids. can you try exploring the manual override for the wing sweep and flaps down on low speed low altitude aCM. I'm intrigued to see how much of the tricks is modeled. thanks

[@andrewthompson8801]

Awesome video and channel, got a new sub from me!

[@pogo1140]

Man that is gorgeous

[@tailpipe2712]

Can’t wait to get my hands on her 🙂👌

[@ilejovcevski79]

Excellent video mate! Hopefully it will save lives once this baby hits the carriers. Have you tried snap-rolling her?

[@sasquatchycowboy5585]

I can't wait for this.

[@Red-Magic]

Looks like slipping into the F-14 from the Spit or Mustang will be easy as pie. 😁

[@sad1989vosoli]

i am screaming now ! because this is happiness LOL

[@king-amir3401]

keep calm. hayajan zade nasho isaac jan 😁

[@Fahreun]

@@king-amir3401 madar jende koos beebee

[@juniorslothsix5562]

im so pumped!